AIM:To investigate the expression of MTDH and β-catenin in ocular adnexal lymphoma lesions and its clinical significance.

METHODS: Resected specimens were collected from patients suffering from B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma(NHL)(n=40)and lymphadenosis(n=20)of ocular adnexal in Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from June 1995 to December 2015. Lymphadenosis of ocular adnexal was acted as the control group. PCR and immunohistochemistry were employed to examine the MTDH and β-catenin mRNA and protein expression respectively. The relationship between the MTDH and β-catenin protein expression level and the clinical pathological characteristics were analyzed.

RESULTS:The expression of mRNA and protein of MTDH and β-catenin in ocular adnexal lymphoma lesions were higher than that in control group(P<0.05). The expression of MTDH and β-catenin proteins were related to pathologic type of tumors, but not related to age, gender or pathogenic site. With the increase of pathologic grade, MTDH and β-catenin labeling frequency increased gradually. And there was a positive correlation between MTDH and β-catenin(r=0.389, P=0.036).

CONCLUSION: Over expression of MTDH and β-catenin may play a significant role in the ocular adnexal lymphoma. The expression of MTDH and β-catenin has a positive relationship.